A few updates

1. It used to be that the only time Elijah was quiet and out of sight was when he was hiding in the closet, bashfully defecating in his diapers. Now, his quiet concentration time is with his puzzles. Puzzles are his new passion. We got him a 60 piece Thomas the Train puzzle a week ago that he’s already mastered. Today the 100 piece African Safari puzzle will come in. Padres, got that one with you in mind!

2. We gave up the battle with Claire and have ceded our rug to her sleeping needs. A long term solution is still in the works.

3. David is on a short business trip to Philadelphia. He passed in front of Temple University--when he told me I thought of you Dad!

4. I received word that the article and picture published of Claire and me about a year ago in a NYC Japanese paper will now also be published in a book. The author has written 18 books. We will be in the 4th of a series of books on NYC. Translated into English they are entitled:

1st book: Under the Spell of New York
2nd book: Still Under the Spell of New York
3rd book: Spellbinding Words of New York

I have been trying to think of a clever name to suggest for the 4th, but I think it’s going to be hard to top the first 3. For all interested parties: look for the book in 1-1.5 yrs either in Japan or in a NYC Japanese bookstore.
Are we under the spell of NY?

おやすみなさい　土曜日の朝九時頃、地下鉄の四番に乗って、クラウンハイツへ向かっていた。
　もうすぐ終点に着く頃、私は立ち上がり、路線図を見に行った。
　昨日、二番のバスで終点まで行ってみたので、場所を確かめたかった。
　後ろから声をかけられた。
　あなた、どこへ行くか、わかってるの？
振り向くと、白人の女性が立っていた。四十歳くらいだろうか。満面の笑みをたたえている。真っ赤な口紅と直径五、六センチの丸いゴールドがかった茶色のイヤリングが印象的だった。耳

There's a lot more writing, but not sure if it's about us or not. Besides, also not sure if I pasted this in backward since it's originally vertical.

5) We ate dinner a few tables down from Michael Moore tonight...almost exciting.

Claire's new resting place

As mentioned, Claire learned how to climb out of the crib.

Night 1

Night 2

Night 3

Elijah used to do the same. But he would go all the way under the bed. Then, he went through a stage where he would wake up, come in our room, and stare at us while we slept. Kinda creepy.

Another story. The picture below is of the Chavert kids who came over yesterday. David home teaches them, their dad lives in France, and Elijah loves playing with them. A few weeks ago, the boys told David about the untimely death of their hamster. David and the boys were chucking over the details (the poor creature spent some time in the microwave and died in the couch) until he looked over at their sister and mom who were crying, “He was like a member of our family.”

Spring has Arrived!

Last Saturday David finally came through on his promise to Elijah to buy him a bike. I have been fighting this purchase for a long time. My reservations come from our extreme lack of storage space, the need to juggle/carry the bike and a stroller up and down stairs simultaneously, and dealing with Elijah hitting people on the sidewalk (he likes to play “chicken” with pedestrians when riding his scooter). But David was convinced that a bike-free life could retard his development. So, dear Elijah, if you get into Harvard in a few years, thank your dad for the bike, meanwhile, I’m glad I get to trip over it every time I enter your room.
On a positive note, last week we returned to a blooming, beautiful NYC.

Riverside Park

Central Park

Play date in Central Park today

I'm realizing there's a tongue-theme going on in these pictures.

Elijah reverently paying homage at the John Lennon memorial in Strawberry Fields, Central Park.
On to other news....
David told me about Elder Uchtdorf's talk on patience in priesthood session. Specifically the following section:
"In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows... Only 30 percent were able to wait... The children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships."

I thought this was a hilarious study--one of those studies I don't quite believe. In the same way, I don't believe in horoscopes nor Chinese fortunes cookies, but every once in a while I read one for the entertainment and "what if" factor. Therefore, I thought I'd try a certain 4-year-old out on the experiment. I used lollipops. There was little hesitation and the lollipop was gone within minutes. I personally attribute this to his huge heart, wanting to share the second lollipop with his mother, rather than a lack of patience. Besides, NEVER FEAR! David bought Elijah a bike. Therefore, Elijah's adulthood positivity, motivation, good grades and income are already guaranteed.


One more thing:
A milestone for Claire: She is now officially able to climb out of the crib. This is at an earlier age than Elijah. I would say this isn't because Elijah lacked the ability at a young age, but more because he has always valued his sleep.

El Salvador & Guatemala

Ok, get ready for a really long post. We went to El Salvador/Guatemala about 3 years ago with Elijah, so I thought it'd be interesting (for me, more than anyone) to also post pictures from the last time we were there since I wasn't blogging at the time.

First, I want to start off with a scenario. Which of the 2 following would you choose:
1) You get to sit in first class with all the benefits of eating off of china, extra-special care from flight attendants, larger chairs, and individual TVs. You also enjoy the benefits of sitting with your 2 restless children who are prone to various tantrums.
2) You sit in coach between two big men who don't want to share the armrests. Pitiful food eaten out of plastic wrappers. Laborious sleep.

David and I both agreed that the latter was preferable. I took the selfless route and sat in first class. By the way, the first class tickets were a circumstantial benefit: I make sure that we rarely travel with class.

We arrived in San Salvador Monday morning. Friends met up with us to go swimming at our hotel. Below are Marielos and Bladimir with Claire. They live in Eastern El Salvador, but they, along with several others from different parts of El Salvador, were nice enough to make the trip to the capital to see us.

FLASHBACK 3 YEARS

(in the same pool)

FLASHBACK 3 YEARS

Three years ago, Bladimir and Marielos took an excursion with us to this beautiful lake. Stephanie Yee also met us there.

Back to the more recent trip...

Carla Liset Galero stayed the night with us so that David and I could go out with the Porters (Jay and David were mission buddies and he now works at the embassy) and Felix and his fiancee Sariah. Good food, good company!
On Tuesday we drove to Chalchuapa to pick up the family of Araseli. Areseli has been David's good friend since the mission and was recently diagnosed with cancer. She was a big reason for going down and bringing the kids.

FLASHBACK 3 YEARS

Areseli's girls really wanted to see the Decameron. It's a massive hotel with 5 pools on the beach. David and I got a timeshare lecture (that's how we got in for free) while the gang went swimming.

Went to see the beach after.
Another outing with Araseli's family included a trip to Las Flores. Elijah and I didn't go on this trip, but heard that it was plagued by wrong turns. The brave gang:Mama Flora also braved the trip (above, wearing pink) and sang with Claire most of the time they were in the car. David lived with her when he was a missionary. She is an exquisite cook and cooks us a feast every time we see her.

FLASHBACK 3 YEARSAnother big reason for our trip was to see the Galero family. Three years ago, were in town when Fernando was born. Elijah's name for him is FriendBrandon.

Carla Liset Galero was Claire's personal hair stylist.The Galero family:

FLASHBACK 3 YEARS

We went out with Vicky, Carlos, and also Suzy (who is also a friend from the mission) and Jorge.

Guatemala
Our dear friend Felix Galdamez was getting married in the Guatemalan temple. David taught Felix on the mission. Almost 7 years ago, Felix trekked with us for part of our honeymoon when we went to Honduras where he served his mission. He also stayed with us for extended periods in both Provo and NYC and has visited us in New Orleans and West Virginia. Below is the night before his wedding. This picture is taken in front of a Mayan altar in Kacao (a restaurant near the hotel). We also met up with Mario and Marina. Mario and David taught Felix together.

The 3 amigos outside the restaurant.


After the wedding we went with Mario, Marina, and their 2 kids, Andres and David, to Antigua to see the Good Friday processions. Jaime was also with us on our trip to Guatemala. The kids absolutely loved him.
Due to extreme hunger and 4 small children, we didn't see a whole lot, but what we did see was excellent! Of particular beauty were the sawdust carpets made on the streets for the processions to step on. The sawdust is dyed different colors. Then, beautiful designs are cut out of cardboard, and the sawdust is sieved through the cuttings.
There were also flower carpets:
The famous yellow arch now.....


and then.....Our Antigua family picture now....


and then....At the front of the procession with Mario and family:

Three years ago with Mario and family, although this picture was taken in Xela. Unfortunately we were not able to go to Xela this trip.On our last full day abroad, we drove from Santa Ana to San Salvador to partake in this superb Easter feast: pupusas, hot chocolate, and Cola Champagne.
The feast was shared with Felix, Sariah and her parents, and the Galeros.

And one last thing...Elijah has now officially suffered the pain of international Time Out.

AND... We have learned that Claire suffers from severe carseat hair. This ubiquitous hairstyle could not be tamed until she was removed from the daily influence of the carseat.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa=week before Easter=VACATION!

On our way down to Central America, we took an extended layover in Houston. This is on the way to the airport. Can you tell I'm a little rusty at putting a carseat in the car? Poor Claire. This is actually after I tried to straighten it several times. Claire and I went straight from the airport to David Schmitt's first baseball game of the season. Claire screamed for her cousin whose team won.
Saturday Claire and I went for an early run and then drove over to Beaumont to meet the Garcia crowd which was in town for Brian’s surprise birthday party. We all went over to the Southeast Texas Fair where we enjoyed funnel cake, a monstrous corn dog, the carousel, and various other nauseating kiddie rides—me and my weak stomach.
Claire likes to pretend to be difficult at times...
and also at other times...

Cousin rivalry. But really, who wouldn't fight over such a nutritious treat? I think I hovered over this bin most of the time we were in Beaumont.
Despite the traffic (I had forgotten the joy) and sticky weather, I sure do miss me some good family lovin'!
Saturday night David and Elijah flew down. Sunday, Megan, Justin, Brian, Erica, Gabe, and the Jake and Sunnie Gruwell crew came to the Schmitt's after church. The boys entertained all with Lucha Libre, Texas style.
More on Central America later....